NBA: Interview with Jose Calderon: “I have great faith in LeBron James”.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will meet the Indiana Pacers at 7pm (live on DAZN) in game 7 of the first playoff round. Jose Calderon talks in an interview about the difficult season of the Cavaliers and his confidence in LeBron James.

In addition, the Cavs Point Guard comments on his dream of completing the 15 NBA years. You can find more basketball news on basketball.de.

basketball.de: Mr. Calderon, you are playing your 13th season in the NBA and are in the playoffs for the fifth time. What has been your most formative playoff experience so far?

Jose Calderon: When I wore the Dallas Mavericks jersey in the 2013/14 season, we had the hope that Dirk Nowitzki would return to top form to possibly lead us into the finals. In the first round we met the San Antonio Spurs, but unfortunately we lost in seven games – an incredibly exciting, intense series that I will never forget.

basketball.de: With your four playoff appearances to date, you have never made it beyond the first round. A frustrating result?

Calderon: Not a very good record, I would call it. When you go into the playoffs as a basketball player, your goal is always to reach the finals and win the championship. It would be the culmination of my career if I could experience playing in the finals for once. And this season I may have the biggest chance I’ve ever had.

basketball.de: But so far things are not going well for the Cavs against the Indiana Pacers in the first round…

Calderon: That’s right. We have to fight hard to get to the second round. But I have great faith in LeBron James. He is a player who, especially in the playoffs, can take control of the action and make the difference.

basketball.de: Is he saying that from now on you should only give him the ball so that he can fix it on his own?

Calderon: No, no, quite the opposite. LeBron is a great team player. It’s easy playing with him. He always makes the right decisions and always plays the right pass. He is a fantastic rebounder and can defend his opponent’s most dangerous player at the same time. This combination of many strengths distinguishes him from other superstars. If you have him on the team, anything can happen in the playoffs. Even after our mixed start against the Pacers.

basketball.de: With every game the Cavs are besieged by countless journalists. How enormous is the hype around the team?

Calderon: If you look at it from the outside, you could think that the carnival is pretty crazy. But as a professional basketball player, you can’t let that distract you. Inside, we’re just like any other team I’ve played with before. LeBron is a very sociable person. And if he puts on his hip-hop music too loud in the cabin, I can put on my headphones.

basketball.de: For you personally, this season was very undulating. For a while they were not used at all, for a while then again 20 to 30 minutes per game. Why?

Calderon: We had many injuries at the beginning of the season, so I got a lot of playing time. When everyone was well again, I had to take a step back. But even in these phases, if you’re not allowed a second, you have to be ready at any time before you get a bigger role again.

basketball.de: You got them again in the course of the season…

Calderon: My experience gave the team a little bit of security after there were so many trades just before the deadline. A lot has happened to us during the season. Because of my age, I might have been able to handle it better than younger players. I like my role and am happy to still be able to play in the NBA at 36.

basketball.de: How long do you want to go on?

Calderon: Right now I feel very good physically and mentally. That’s why I’ve set my sights on a special brand: 15 years in the NBA – that would be two more years. I wouldn’t put it past me.

basketball.de: And afterwards?

Calderdon: I would like to continue playing basketball.

basketball.de: As a coach?

Calderon: No, I don’t have the time for that. I need enough space for my family and my three boys. By the way, the biggest one, who will soon turn eight, is already playing basketball.

basketball.de: Soon Calderon junior in the NBA?

Calderon: I wouldn’t mind. (laughs)